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Global trends and evolution of aquavoltaics in sustainable aquaculture and energy generation

Author

Listed:
  • Guo, Huige
  • Wang, Xiaochen
  • Liu, Bingfeng
  • Chan, Zhuhua
  • Pan, Zhefeng
  • Chen, Liping
  • Xi, Qi
  • Zhu, Wenting
  • Wu, Jiwen
  • Cao, Guangli
  • Xu, Changan
  • Luo, Zhaohe

Abstract

Aquavoltaics involves synergy between photovoltaic technologies and aquaculture and has emerged as a promising approach to mitigate climate change and the increasing demand for food and energy. Through installing photovoltaic modules on the water's surface, the aquavoltaic industry can simultaneously generate clean energy while maintaining aquaculture operations underneath. We aimed to identify key research hotspots, technological advancements, eco-economic effects, prospects, the evolving dynamics of global projects undertaken within the aquavoltaics field, and necessary future research directions. As such, we employed an integrative approach comprising a bibliometric analysis of the most-cited papers and a manual review of projects worldwide to summarize the associated research and development tendencies. The results showed that the production and operation mode of aquaculture combined with photovoltaic has gradually evolved to intensification, and the installed capacity and distribution of global aquavoltaics has expanded rapidly since 2014. We also identified key current and future aquavoltaic industry themes that emphasize the potential of aquavoltaics to support sustainable energy transitions and efficient smart aquaculture production. To provide and implement a standard paradigm covering the entire process, from site selection and installation to decommissioning, future research should focus on improving photovoltaic technology integration, the ecological impact, component layout, and recycling regulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Huige & Wang, Xiaochen & Liu, Bingfeng & Chan, Zhuhua & Pan, Zhefeng & Chen, Liping & Xi, Qi & Zhu, Wenting & Wu, Jiwen & Cao, Guangli & Xu, Changan & Luo, Zhaohe, 2025. "Global trends and evolution of aquavoltaics in sustainable aquaculture and energy generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:255:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125015289
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123864
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